An Ashland Post Trooper attempted to stop a vehicle, around the 185mm, in the southbound lane of I-71 yesterday, just after midnight. The male was later identified as Arthur Cook Jr., 43, of Wooster, Ohio, who fled southbound into Richland County.
As Cook exited I-71 into the westbound lane of US Route 30, he entered the rest area, turning through the parking lot, and exiting the rest area into the entrance, back into the westbound lane of US Route 30, going eastbound at a high rate of speed.
For safety reasons, the Trooper did not follow, but attempted to get over to the eastbound lane, thus losing Cook.
According to reports released by Captain Donald Zehner, of Richland County Sheriff's Office, Deputies located the vehicle, abandoned behind a barn on Crider Road. Arthur Cook’s wallet and ID were found in the abandoned vehicle.
The report went on to say that while Deputies were looking for Cook, he jumped into the Sheriff's Deputy's, Ford F-150 pickup and fled the scene.
Ohio Highway Patrol aviation joined the pursuit, and Officers were able to apprehend Cook, after a struggle in a field, off of Crall Road in Richland County.
Cook remains in the Richland County Jail on a federal warrant, for a parole violation with more charges from Wooster, Ashland, and Richland counties.